When the ancient Polynesians invented surfing, they often used a paddle to help them navigate. Fast-forward a few millennia, and Stand-Up Paddleboarding, or SUP, finds itself trendy again. Part of its increasing popularity is that standing upright allows surfers to spot waves more easily and thus catch more of them, multiplying the fun factor. Paddling back to the wave becomes less of a strain as well. The ability to cruise along on flat inland water, surveying the sights, is another advantage. Finally, its a good core workout. If youre sold on the idea, schedule an intro SUP lesson, free with board and paddle rental, and you may find yourself riding the waves like a Polynesian king.More

Many of us remember coming home from our elementary schools with freshly glazed pinchpots, cups, or whatever else our young imaginations could conjure up. Saturday mornings at the Randall Museum can bring that memory back, or create a new one for the youngsters. Ceramics make great gifts — especially on Mothers' and Fathers' Day. Hop on board for the Randall's once-weekly class, and for $6 and two weeks to have your work fired and glazed, you'll have all the materials you need.More

Friday, March 15, 2013

Friends of the San Francisco Public Library's big book sale at Fort Mason.

Looking for some vintage James Beard cookbooks or to read and learn the rules of hospitality from restaurant guru Danny Meyer? Consider stocking up on cookbooks at the upcoming 49th Annual Big Book Sale, which benefits San Francisco's public libraries and is held at the Festival Pavilion of Fort Mason. Book nerds of all stripes have been known to swoon when faced with an entire warehouse of deeply discounted books, organized and stacked in fine fashion.

Friends of the San Francisco Public Library Literary Director Byron Spooner promises that for this sale, there will be eight to ten thousand cookbooks. The bargain prices of $3 or less only add to the temptation (we dare you to walk away from an egg cookery book in primo condition!)

The Big Book Sale runs from Wednesday, April 3 to Sunday April 7, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Insider tip: Sunday is the day where all books are marked down to $1 and also the day of the Fort Mason Farmers' Market, so you can in theory buy produce to put to good use for all your new cookbook finds.

Spooner said that for this year's sale, Friends of the San Francisco Public Library is offering up a fun and tech-friendly scavenger hunt that is apropos for our fair city:

Each day we will be offering daily clues via Facebook and Twitter for book lovers to find goodies inside the pages of books. Follow the clues to the right book and find gift certificates to our Readers Bookstores, theatre and museum tickets, restaurant deals and more! Be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for your chance to win."

We're all for a scavenger hunt, but being a longtime member of the Friends is the most direct route to a pot o' culinary gold: first dibs on the sale inventory on Tuesday night served up in a mellow setting with cold beer (or wine) and nibbles ranging from mini-pinwheel sandwiches to delectable cubes of cheese. Sold.

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Sub Pop recording artists 'clipping.' brought their brand of noise-driven experimental hip hop to the closing night of 2016's San Francisco Electronic Music Fest this past Sunday. The packed Brava Theater hosted an initially seated crowd that ended the night jumping and dancing against the front of the stage. The trio performed a set focused on their recently released Sci-Fi Horror concept album, 'Splendor & Misery', then delved into their dancier and more aggressive back catalogue, and recent single 'Wriggle'.
Opening performances included local experimental electronic duo 'Tujurikkuja' and computer music artist 'Madalyn Merkey.'"